Severe plastic deformation of copper by machining: Microstructure refinement and nanostructure evolution with strain

The microstructures of copper chips created by plane strain machining at ambient temperature have been analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and orientation imaging microscopy (OIM). The strain imposed in the chips was varied by changing the tool rake angle. Characterization of orthogonal faces of the chips showed the microstructure to be essentially uniform through the chip volume, indicative also of uniform deformation.